How much of a warbird is original?

[Randy Haskin]

Also, according to Mike VadeBonCouer, the wing interior shows original orange dyed bolts, unpainted rivit and bolts as per the factory, Alcoa water marks and inspector's blue china marks. These would have been likely painted over during a repair, etc. This leads one to believe the wing was never repaired and more likely never removed from the airframe.
VL

Wow, interesting. Pretty neat that guys like Mike have been able to see enough of the originals to know the little details like that! I think it's even more interesting that given the airplane's trips through Sarasota and El Salvador that it would have a wing that had not been messed with internally!

Haven't we discussed the possible scenario where the owner at the time, Howard Olsen of Midland TX, likely bought a field kit to install the Cavalier items?

Yes, that was originally the line of thought, but the copies of the old FAA file changed my opinion on that. Trans Florida purchased the airplane from Mike Coutches in June '58 and owned it until selling to Stan Hoke (Dunbar-Stanley Studios) in January '63. Olsen bought it in October '63, and is "legally" the 2nd owner of the Cavalier. The Form 337 showing the modification to Cavalier 750 was submitted in December '62, indicating to me that the airplane was modified in Sarasota while owned by TFA.

But, that is just what the paperwork says. As we all know, the paperwork isn't always really indicative of what actually happened in real life!

[B17news]

Hi Randy,

We called that "pencil whipping" in the AF.

B

[mlenoch]

Randy:
What are the items listed for a Cavalier 750?
What parts or modifications make up a 750?
Thx,
VL

[Jim Beasley]

Vlado if your wings haven't ever been off hurry and get her inspected for corrosion! And don't let Rich Palmer inspect her she'll be down as long as Frenesi has been ....

[oscardeuce]

My O2 is about 99% original even most of the original paint